The departments provide each other with mutual aid throughout the year. Tonganoxie fire Chief Jack Holcom said the training provided a way to continue those partnerships and relationships.

“If we’re going to work together, it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to train together,” Holcom said.

Saturday’s training focused on patient airway management, both for children and adults. That training took place in the morning at the Chieftain Room on the THS east campus and included work with mannequins. The afternoon session moved outside for landing zone training with a LifeStar helicopter.

Holcom said that firefighters are required to be recertified for a certain number of training hours in various categories each year.

Departments also will do in-house training and some online work and attend lectures.

The local firefighters started with training from Leavenworth County EMS in September at Fairmount Township Fire Department. Sherman Township will host training in November.

“This is a way we could all get together and get big parts knocked out,” Holcom said.

The fire chief continued to stress the importance of working alongside other local departments and getting everyone “in a big room” and having teamwork when it comes to emergency service.

“We’re providing quality professional care to the citizens of the community,” Holcom said. “I think that’s the main thing, everyone working together.”